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Southwest Virginia Ballet Welcomes next Artistic Director Laurence Blake

 Southwest Virginia Ballet Welcomes next Artistic Director Laurence Blake 150 150 Southwest Virginia Ballet

Roanoke, VA – May 7, 2025. Southwest Virginia Ballet is pleased to announce Laurence Blake as the Company’s next artistic director following long-time Artistic Director Pedro Szalay’s retirement at the end of the current season.  Laurence Blake (Educator/Choreographer), a native of Southwest Virginia, is a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts in Winston-Salem, NC. He has danced professionally with the Agnes DeMille Heritage Dance Theater, the North Carolina Dance Theater, The Joffrey II…

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Southwest Virginia Ballet Looking Forward as Longtime Artistic Director Szalay Retires

 Southwest Virginia Ballet Looking Forward as Longtime Artistic Director Szalay Retires 150 150 Southwest Virginia Ballet

Roanoke, VA – February 11, 2025. For more than 18 years Pedro Szalay has led the artistic efforts for the Southwest Virginia Ballet. When this season concludes at the end of June, Szalay will retire as its Artistic Director. He and his husband Mark Shepheard are relocating to Scotland to begin a new chapter in their lives. “When I started this work almost 20 years ago it was about the teaching and helping our dancers to…

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Clara’s Tea Party (2024)

 Clara’s Tea Party (2024) 791 1024 Southwest Virginia Ballet

Sunday, December 8, 2024, 3pm-5pm at our studios1005 Industry Avenue SE Building 7 Join Clara, the Nutcracker Prince, and the Sugar Plum Fairy at this magical event. Enjoy Tea Party snacks, mingle with characters from the Land of Sweets, and create your very own holiday-themed craft. Each ticket includes a raffle entry. GET TICKETS

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Nutcracker Community Auditions

 Nutcracker Community Auditions 1024 1024 Southwest Virginia Ballet

Announcing Southwest Virginia Ballet’s Auditions for 2024 Nutcracker at the Berglund Center WHAT: Auditions for Community members to perform as reindeer, mice, soldiers, party guests and more WHO: Dancers and performers ages 7 & older WHEN: Auditions will be held on Sunday, August 25, 2024 from 2:00pm until 5:00pm WHERE: Auditions held at Star City School of Ballet, home of SVB (1005 Industry Ave. #7A SE Roanoke, VA 24013) HOW: Pre-registration is required (form is below) The…

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Romeo & Juliet at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre

 Romeo & Juliet at the Berglund Performing Arts Theatre 767 1024 Southwest Virginia Ballet

Southwest Virginia Ballet Presents: A Breathtaking Performance of Romeo and Juliet FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Roanoke, VA (March, 2024): Southwest Virginia Ballet (SVB) is thrilled to announce its upcoming production of Sergei Prokofiev’s timeless ballet, Romeo and Juliet. Witness the power and grace of ballet as the timeless Shakespearean tragedy unfolds. Experience the Magic: School Outreach Performance: Friday, April 12th at 10:00 AM (Berglund Performing Arts Theatre). For more information, contact Megan Potter at potter4svb@gmail.com. Public Performance: Saturday,…

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DANCE ESPANOL IS MARCH 20 AT THE BERGLUND CENTER

 DANCE ESPANOL IS MARCH 20 AT THE BERGLUND CENTER 768 1024 Southwest Virginia Ballet

Join us at the Berglund Center for Dance Espanol! A dance performance with local 4th-grade students from Roanoke City Schools! Don’t miss this special program on March 20th at 7pm.

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Support SVB’s 33rd Season and Live Orchestra!

 Support SVB’s 33rd Season and Live Orchestra! 150 150 Southwest Virginia Ballet

You make a big difference! Your support strengthens our ballet company and builds on our accomplishments in Southwest Virginia. Dear Friends of the Ballet, Southwest Virginia Ballet is a gem in our community, and you can help us shine even brighter! Your donation will support our award-winning productions, providing young dancers with the opportunity to learn from world-class choreographers and perform in front of sold-out audiences. Your sponsorship will also help us reach more people…

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Season tickets at the berglund center

 Season tickets at the berglund center 1024 683 Southwest Virginia Ballet

Season Tickets are now available for Season 33! NEW this year- SVB’s mainstage production of The Nutcracker will feature the debut of the Orchestra of Virginia’s Blue Ridge conducted by Dr. Wayne Gallops, a full professional and pre-professional orchestra who will provide live music for our holiday production! You can select the best available seats and secure your spot right now with a Season Ticket Package.

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Nutcracker Community Auditions

 Nutcracker Community Auditions 1024 683 Southwest Virginia Ballet

Announcing Southwest Virginia Ballet’s Auditions for 2023 Nutcracker at the Berglund Center took place on August 27th. Orchestra Auditions will take place on Saturday, September 9th at our studio. Questions: Call 540-387-3978 or email info@svballet.org CLICK HERE for information about the Orchestra Auditions

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Now Hiring: Ballet Master/Mistress

 Now Hiring: Ballet Master/Mistress 150 150 Southwest Virginia Ballet

Southwest Virginia Ballet is looking for a Ballet Master/Mistress starting in the 2023/2024 season.  BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT: Southwest Virginia Ballet (SVB) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization that provides pre-professional classical ballet training and performance opportunities to dancers in Southwest Virginia. Led by Artistic Director Pedro Szalay, SVB has given performance opportunities to not only its company members, but also students from Roanoke City Public Schools through Dance Espanol.  KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: The following are integral…

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